Celebrating the song traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and the Anglo-Celtic lands.

Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore

Here are two versions of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore from Paul Brady and Andy Irvine. The videos are only separated by about 35 years!

Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore

From Derry quay we sailed away
On the twenty-third of May
We were boarded by a pleasant crew
Bound for Americay
Fresh water there we did take on
Five thousand gallons or more
In case we’d run short going to NewYork
Far away from the Shamrock shore.

So fare thee well, sweet Liza dear
And likewise to Derry town,
And twice farewell to me comrade boys,
Who dwell on that sainted ground
If ever fortune should favor me
Or I do have money in store,
I’ll come back and I’ll wed the sweet lassie I left
On Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore

We sailed three days, we were all seasick
And no-one on board was free,
We were all confined unto our bunks
With no one to pity poor me,
No father kind, no mother dear
To comfort my head when twas sore
This made me think more on the lassie I left
On Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore.

We savely reached the other side
In fifteen and twenty days,
We were taken as passengers by a man
And led round in six different ways,
We each of us drunk a parting glas
In case we might never meet more,
And we drank a health to old Ireland
And Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore.

So fare thee well, sweet Lisa dear
And likewise to Derry town,
And twice farewell to me comrades bold,
Who still dwell on that sainted ground
If fame or fortune will favour me
And I do have money in store,
I’ll go back and I’ll wed the wee Lassy I left
On Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore.